Currently, we do not have any Post-doctoral positions supported by the NIT Delhi fellowship. We seek dedicated and highly motivated Ph.D. graduates with their own fellowship (UGC/ DST/ INSPIRE or others) to join our Research Team.
Completed
Naveen Chand
Supervisor: Dr. Kapil
Kumar Joint Supervisor: Dr. S.S. Suthar, Doon
University, Dehradun
He has successfully defended his PhD degree in December, 2022 and
currently he is working as a Research Associate at IIT Roorkee
Removal of pollutants from wastewater using Constructed Wetlands
Constructed Wetlands are a natural, low-cost, eco-technological
biological wastewater treatment technology that mimics natural wetland
ecosystem processes and is currently considered a potential alternative
or additional system for wastewater treatment. Constructed wetlands are
the alternatives for the wastewater treatment system that improves water
quality by utilizing natural processes involving wetland vegetation,
soils, and associated microbial communities. The present study designed
vertical subsurface flow constructed wetlands to induce subsurface flow
through a porous medium. The systems could also be described as the
"rock-reed-filters," root-zone systems," and "vegetated submerged bed
systems." Having various advantages of constructed wetlands, specific
challenges restrict the wastewater's purification. Therefore, to
overcome the issue of the limiting factors and maximize the output,
refinements in design with amendments were done to enhance the
purification capability of the systems. The work is based on reducing
pollutants via distinct strategies to assess the systems comparatively,
and the strategies opted for during the study period. In total, two
plants (Typha sp. and Colocasia), six support matrix materials
(boulders, coarse gravel, fine gravel, biochar, and river bottom sand),
and two DO maintenance strategies (intermittent aeration and tidal flow
operation) were implied. The Biochar used as a substrate material was
derived from cow dung, which was incorporated into the substrate matrix
to enhance the working of the CWs to reduce the pollutants.
Health risk assessment of contaminants of emerging concern (CECs) and
their
removal
Pollution due to rapid urbanisation and industrialisation continues to
be of
great concern worldwide. In the past few decades technological and
scientific
advancement have made a significant impact on human lifestyle which led
to
an
exponential increase in use of agricultural pesticides, pharmaceuticals,
personal care and household products (termed as contaminants of emerging
concern, CECs). Due to their indiscriminate use and improper disposal,
these
contaminants readily enter into the environment. The severity of CECs is
attributed to their persistence in environment and/ or accumulation in
living
organisms that causes adverse ecotoxicological effects. Recent studies
have
investigated the presence of CECs in drinking water, air, soil, plants,
humans
etc., however, they pose a great threat to living organisms as some of
them
are
categorised as potential carcinogen. Currently, in India conventional
water
treatment methods are not effective in eliminating these contaminants
because of
their complex chemistry. Even though the use of personal care products,
pesticides, pharmaceuticals is increasing in country, on the other hand,
studies
related to their persistence in environment, interaction with other
contaminants, transformation products/ degradation studies and human
health
risk
analysis are scarce. Therefore, the objective of the study is to assess
the
prevalence/presence of CECs in different environmental settings (water,
air
and
soil). Subsequently, safe and economical methods for their removal/
degradation
will be carried out together with health risk assessment
Wastewater Treatment Through Electrolysis Along With Biofuel Production
Pollution is the contamination of the environment with harmful
substances.
Amongst various types of pollution water pollution is one of the major
issues in
India. Wastewater is sewage and non-potable water that flows back into
the
environment, and most of it is untreated. In the majority of areas,
untreated
wastewater is discharged directly into the local surroundings and water
bodies.
This leads to the contamination of surface as well as sub-surface water,
having
negative effects on the environment and human health.
The increasing world population, urbanization, and industrialization are
driving
global increases in wastewater production. Wastewater comprises
significant
amounts of chemical energy primarily in the form of organic molecules
(in
particular lipids), which are currently not being recovered
comprehensively.
So
now it’s time to look into alternative technologies for the purification
of
water. As per the previous study, this treatment is convenient and may
be
more
sufficient for the production of clean, usable water at a low cost, and
at
the
same time, biofuel can also be produced. An attempt has been made for
the
electrolysis of wastewater and production of green fuel with little
finance,
less maintenance, and easy availability.
Air pollution is a major problem all over the world in both developed
and
developing countries. Rapid increase in population and demand for energy
has
resulted in emission of toxic air pollutants that affect the surrounding
environment as well as human health. . Air pollution was considered to
be a
local problem with large number of point sources but due to the
application
of
tall stacks, biomass burning and long range transport of pollutants, it
has
become a regional to global problem which contributes to climate change.
The
observational evidence indicates that recent regional changes in
climate,
particularly temperature increases, have already affected a diverse set
of
physical and biological systems in many parts of the world. Due,
excessive
air
pollution concentrations and patterns, climate is changing in several
urbanized
areas of the world with a significant effect on health. Most of the
developing
countries, including India, have experienced a drastic decline in air
quality
due to rapid economic growth over the last three decades. There is a
need
for
timely information about changes in the air pollution levels in cities
for
adopting precautionary measures. Keeping this in view, an attempt has
been
made
to develop a model which will be useful to obtain air quality
information
and
its relation with climate change directly from observed data and
remotely
sensed
data easily and quickly using mathematical modelling.
An ecosystem is the functional combination of abiotic and biotic
components,
these two are so nicely knitted fabrics that no one can view a separate.
A
slight decline of one component will affect the entire combination of
different factors. A healthy and sustainable ecosystem requires multiple
similar factors of dependence, number of such factors is directly
proportional to the health and sustainability of ecosystem. Change in
the
habitats of pollinators and seed spreaders due to climate change and
anthropogenic activities disturbed the pin point equilibrium of many
ecosystems. In recent many rivers and ecosystems are under stress due to
dry
weather conditions in Europe. In view of changing climate and global
warming, we must have to prepare us against threats of degradation and
distruction of well established ecosystems. We have to work in advance
to
built more resilient, more diverse and sustainable ecosystems, which can
withstand in more drastic conditions or increased temperature of globe.
We
have to equally study, gather information about species of microbes
their
interactions with rhizosphere and pollinators, seed spreaders and other
dependent species on the above ground part of the ecosystems. We have to
work on more diverse interactions among both the below and above ground
components. In this study we planned, designed some ecosystems which
were
vanished in past due to various stress factors, and loss of dependent
species. We have recreated such degraded ecosystem on almost a patch of
desert and studied the interactions of various components essential for
sustainability and survival.
Fate and Transport of Fire-Borne Effluents and Assessing their
Environmental Risks
Environmental impact of fire Fire outbreaks have been common and
acknowledged risks in our society for the past many years. Fire
outbreaks
are common and can occur due to natural or anthropogenic reasons such as
lighting explosions, riots, terrorism, accidents, short circuits, etc.
Fires
result in a direct and immediate impact on society along with the
community
from the toxic effluents. Smoke results in most fire-based deaths due to
these effluents. Fire results in significant loss of lives and property
resulting in a huge economical loss. However, fire also has certain
negative
consequences on the environment. Negative impacts spatially can be
local,
regional, or global whereas, temporal consequences can be gradual as
well as
persistent based on certain factors. Fire-borne pollutants release toxic
combustion gases during a fire or post-fire effects can be seen when the
fire is doused off using water and additives producing toxic runoff.
Further, contaminants released if not contained properly easily find
their
way into the environment using different transport pathways depending on
the
contaminant’s physicochemical properties and reaction processes.
Therefore,
environmental impact assessment of fire-borne contaminants becomes an
important step with respect to fire accidents. The objective of this
study
will be to optimize the methods to monitor the distribution, fate, and
transport of different fire-based effluents.
Climate change will have an impact on the global economy. Attempting to
understand and quantify these impacts is a complicated exercise subject
to significant error. Despite this, from what we know today, we can make
inferences about how global warming will influence various economic
factors. More extreme weather has the potential to weaken economic
growth through damage to the capital stock and labor supply, and labor
productivity will weaken as the world economy adjusts to higher
temperatures. Inflation will rise through food, energy, and insurance
costs. Monetary policy will be limited as it attempts to combat the
pressures of climate change. Successful mitigation policies will
necessitate actions from all parties. The insurance industry is already
moving to incorporate some of these costs. Still, without a broader
coordinated, correct policy response, the world economy is unlikely to
factor in one of the most significant negative externalities ever faced.
Recognizing that quantifying the impact of climate change on
shareholder’s investments is critical in creating an incentive to act,
we will be looking to incorporate climate change effects into an
extended long-run return forecast for different asset classes.
Amandeep Singh completed Graduation from the Kurukshetra University and Masters in Environmental Science from Guru Jambheshwar University of Science and Technology Hisar.
Enhancing pollutant removal from wastewater using constructed wetlands
In the field of biological wastewater treatment, constructed wetlands represent an eco-technological marvel that is both cost-effective and natural, replicating the complex workings of natural wetland ecosystems. They are recognised as a viable substitute for wastewater treatment because they improve water quality by utilising microbial communities, soils, and wetland vegetation's natural processes. Through surface area augmentation to maximise physical, chemical, and biological reactions, The present research activities are focused on optimising the effectiveness of artificial wetlands (CW).This study explores the function of substrate matrix in constructed wetlands as a researcher dedicated to the ongoing advancement of wastewater treatment technologies. An essential component, the substrate matrix gives microbial communities a home and supports the vegetation of the wetland. Increasing the substrate matrix's surface area systematically will increase the possibility of physical, chemical, and biological reactions. It is anticipated that this focused strategy will greatly improve the performance of constructed wetlands, leading to more effective and efficient water treatment procedures.The current research emphasizes the critical role that constructed wetlands play in attaining sustainable water management, while also being consistent with the tenets of eco-technology. My work aims to accelerate the development of constructed wetlands as a resilient and adaptable wastewater treatment solution by maximising surface area and advancing an in-depth knowledge of substrate matrix dynamics.
Bijay Shankar completed B.Tech in Civil Engineering from Gandhi Engineering College, Bhubaneswar and
M.Tech in Environmental Science & Engineering from Birla Institute of Technology, Mesra (Ranchi).
Currently he is pursuing PhD under my supervision.
The Growing Threat of Microplastics in Freshwater Ecosystems
Microplastics, plastic particles smaller than 5mm, are increasingly contaminating freshwater ecosystems and posing significant risks to both aquatic life and human health. These particles come from various sources, including urban runoff, wastewater discharge, industrial effluents, and agricultural runoff. In urban areas, stormwater carries plastic debris into rivers where larger plastics degrade into microplastics. Wastewater treatment plants also contribute, as they fail to filter out synthetic fibers from textiles and microbeads from personal care products. Industrial and agricultural activities further exacerbate the problem by releasing plastic waste and microplastic-laden runoff into nearby water bodies. The pervasive use of plastics, combined with poor waste management, leads to the widespread release of microplastics into the environment. Over time, larger plastic items break down into smaller particles due to environmental exposure. Aquatic organisms frequently ingest microplastics, mistaking them for food, which can cause physical harm, blockages, and malnutrition. These particles also adsorb harmful chemicals such as heavy metals and pesticides, which bioaccumulate in aquatic species, impairing reproduction, development, and survival rates. This contamination affects not just individual species but entire aquatic ecosystems, disrupting habitats and biodiversity. For humans, microplastics enter the food chain through seafood consumption and drinking water, potentially leading to health risks from plastic additives like bisphenol A (BPA) and phthalates. These chemicals are linked to endocrine disruption, reproductive issues, and increased cancer risk. Airborne microplastics also pose respiratory concerns. Addressing this growing issue requires reducing plastic use, improving waste management, enhancing filtration in wastewater plants, and enforcing stricter regulations on industrial discharges. These steps are essential for safeguarding both environmental and human health.
Removal of pollutants from wastewater using Constructed Wetlands
Constructed Wetlands are a natural, low-cost, eco-technological
biological wastewater treatment technology that mimics natural wetland
ecosystem processes and is currently considered a potential alternative
or additional system for wastewater treatment. Constructed wetlands are
the alternatives for the wastewater treatment system that improves water
quality by utilizing natural processes involving wetland vegetation,
soils, and associated microbial communities. The present study designed
vertical subsurface flow constructed wetlands to induce subsurface flow
through a porous medium. The systems could also be described as the
"rock-reed-filters," root-zone systems," and "vegetated submerged bed
systems." Having various advantages of constructed wetlands, specific
challenges restrict the wastewater's purification. Therefore, to
overcome the issue of the limiting factors and maximize the output,
refinements in design with amendments were done to enhance the
purification capability of the systems. The work is based on reducing
pollutants via distinct strategies to assess the systems comparatively,
and the strategies opted for during the study period. In total, two
plants (Typha sp. and Colocasia), six support matrix materials
(boulders, coarse gravel, fine gravel, biochar, and river bottom sand),
and two DO maintenance strategies (intermittent aeration and tidal flow
operation) were implied. The Biochar used as a substrate material was
derived from cow dung, which was incorporated into the substrate matrix
to enhance the working of the CWs to reduce the pollutants.
He has completed his PhD degree from Institute of Environment and Sustainable
Development (IESD), Banaras Hindu University (BHU) Varanasi under supervision Prof.
Virendra Kumar Mishra in July 2024. Currently, he is working as a Research Associate at
department of Civil Engineering, National Institute of Technology (NIT), Delhi under my
supervision.
Monitoring and Assessment of Emerging Contaminants in River Ganga at Varanasi and Its
Removal Through Constructed Wetlands
My research focuses on the monitoring and assessment of emerging contaminants (ECs) in
the River Ganga at Varanasi, particularly their ecological impacts and potential risks to
human health. Emerging contaminants include a broad spectrum of synthetic or naturally
occurring compounds that are not commonly monitored but have been detected in the
environment, often in trace/very low concentrations (µg/L to ng/L). Emerging contaminants
(ECs), such as pharmaceuticals, personal care products (PPCPs), endocrine disrupting
compounds (EDCs), plasticizers, artificial sweeteners (AWs), and industrial chemicals etc.,
pose significant challenges to water bodies due to their persistence, bioaccumulation, and
potential harm to human health and aquatic organism. The River Ganga, revered as a sacred
river in India, is also an economic lifeline for millions of people. However, rapid
industrialization, urbanization, and population growth have led to the increased release of
ECs into the river, particularly in the densely populated city of Varanasi. My research is
dedicated to addressing these pressing issues by monitoring the presence of ECs in various
compartments of the River Ganga, including water, sediments, and aquatic organisms (fish,
algae and daphnia) and developing sustainable solutions for their removal through the use of
constructed wetlands (CWs).
In addition to monitoring, my research explores sustainable methods for the removal of
these contaminants, particularly through the use of constructed wetlands (CWs). CWs are
nature-based solutions that harness natural processes involving wetland vegetation, media,
soils, and associated microbial communities to treat wastewater. CWs are a natural,
low-cost,
ecotechnological biological wastewater treatment technology that mimics natural wetland
ecosystem processes and is considered as potential alternative for wastewater treatment. The
present study designed horizontal flow constructed wetland and vertical flow constructed
wetlands through a porous medium. Despite the various advantages of CWs, certain
challenges limit their effectiveness in wastewater purification. To address these
limitations
and enhance system performance, refinements in design and amendments were introduced to
improve their pollutant removal capabilities. This work focuses on reducing pollutants
through various strategies and evaluating the systems in a comparative manner, based on
approaches employed throughout the study period. Specifically, two plant species (Typha sp.
and Canna indica), 4 types of support matrix materials (coarse gravel, fine gravel, sand and
mixed media), and two dissolved oxygen (DO) maintenance strategies (intermittent aeration
and tidal flow operation) were utilized. Through this work, I aim to contribute to the
development of environmentally friendly water treatment solutions that can mitigate the
pollution in the River Ganga while ensuring the protection of human and ecosystem health.
The study also emphasizes the significance of CWs in achieving sustainable water and
wastewater management and improving the quality of the river, which holds great cultural
and environmental importance.
She has completed Bachelor of Engineering in chemical engineering from Thapar University, Patiala, Punjab. Currently, she is working as a Junior Research Fellow at the Department of Civil Engineering, National Institute of Technology (NIT), Delhi under my supervision. In this project, she is responsible for documents collection and verification such as consent to Operate; samples collections, and preparation of reports based on investigation of the industries.
